Should you rent or buy?
Pop in your postal code and unit, then tell us today’s rent. We’ll value the unit and put the monthly mortgage right next to it, cash outlay and all. No sign-up, no hard sell.
Side by side, buying looks $124/mo more than renting.
Only $2,844/mo of that mortgage is truly spent — it’s interest. The other $3,280/mo is principal you keep. Line up what actually leaves your pocket — $2,844 to own vs $6,000 to rent — and owning is $3,156/mo cheaper.
A mortgage is two payments in one
Put a mortgage next to rent and buying often looks more expensive. That is the trap. A rent payment leaves and never returns. A mortgage splits in two: part is interest, an expense that is gone like rent, and part is principal, which you keep. The first number is a cost. The second is savings in disguise.
Once you see how much of the payment is building equity you own, the picture often flips. This tool surfaces exactly that: the monthly gap, and the slice of it that comes back to you instead of disappearing into a landlord’s account.
Illustrative: a $1,820,000 home at a 25% downpayment and a 2.5% indicative rate over 25 years, against $6,000 rent. Your numbers appear when you run the tool above.
Rent versus buy in three steps
No appointments, no paperwork. Just your address, your rent, and a few seconds.
Enter your details
Postal code, unit number, and the monthly rent you pay or are quoted. That is all we need.
We value and compute
We value the unit with Amicus, then run the mortgage at a 25% downpayment to find your monthly cost.
See the verdict
Your monthly mortgage sits right next to your rent, with upfront cash, equity built, and the gap all in one view.
What you give and get, either way
Neither is simply better. It depends on how long you’ll stay, your cash on hand, and how much flexibility you want.
The price behind the comparison is one you can trust
The purchase price we compare against your rent is produced by Amicus, a Singapore data company operating since 1985, using the same automated valuation approach banks rely on.
An independent valuation produced by Amicus, a Singapore data company operating since 1985, not a number we set ourselves.
Powered by an Automated Valuation Machine (AVM), the same class of model the banks rely on to value property.
Factors in location, floor level, built-in area and recent transactions for the unit and its neighbours.
No personal details needed to see your value or your rent-versus-buy comparison.
The comparison is indicative and excludes Buyer’s Stamp Duty, the physical condition of the unit, and a bank’s own assessment. Speak to an advisor before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
How the comparison works, what it assumes, and what to do with the result.
How do you work out the monthly mortgage?
We take the Amicus valuation, assume a 25% downpayment, and finance the remaining 75% over 25 years at an indicative rate. You can change the price to match your own purchase scenario.
What is included in the upfront cash to buy?
The figure shown is the 25% downpayment, of which at least 5% must be paid in cash and up to 20% can come from cash or CPF. Buyer’s Stamp Duty, legal and valuation fees sit on top and vary by price.
Is the valuation accurate enough to decide on?
It is an indicative AVM estimate, the same approach the banks use, and a sound starting point. For an actual purchase, the bank runs its own valuation, which can differ.
Does buying always beat renting?
No. Buying tends to win the longer you stay and the more the property appreciates; renting can win if you value flexibility or plan to move within a few years. The comparison is there to make that trade-off concrete for your unit.
Can I use this for an HDB flat?
Yes. The valuation works for both HDB flats and private property. HDB purchases follow different loan and downpayment rules, so treat the figures as indicative and confirm with an advisor.
What should I do after I see the comparison?
If buying looks close or favourable, speak to a Cashew advisor. We compare 500+ loan packages across all major Singapore banks to find the rate that makes the maths work in your favour.
Still weighing it up?
Speak to a Cashew advisor about whether buying makes sense for you, and the rate that would make the monthly maths work in your favour.
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